I am planning to purchase and install an CDI FF4 roller furling on my 1986 catalina 27. I was looking for any advice (that is not in the instructions) that may help in a novice taking this project on. I would like to do it with the mast up. Can I just undo the forestay at the bottom and slide the track up or do I have to make changes at the top of the forestay as well? Any "tricks" to know before I begin? Thanks
CDI roller furling
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cdi furler
My son and I installed one on a 22'boat a few years ago. We did it with the mast down and the forestay removed because I wanted to check and recheck the foil measurement before I cut it. What we discovered was that the instructions were slightly wrong in how to determine the correct foil length. I can't remember now what the exact problem was but once we figured out the correct length, everything was pretty easy. CDI may have revised the instructions by now, but I'd call them and verify that. They were very helpful on the phone when I talked to them. To answer your question, our forestay did not need any modifications. Also follow the instructions and have several bodies available when you unpack the foil. It wants to spring out like a snake and you won't be anle to roll it backwards to get the curve straightened out by yourself. Good Luck
My son and I installed one on a 22'boat a few years ago. We did it with the mast down and the forestay removed because I wanted to check and recheck the foil measurement before I cut it. What we discovered was that the instructions were slightly wrong in how to determine the correct foil length. I can't remember now what the exact problem was but once we figured out the correct length, everything was pretty easy. CDI may have revised the instructions by now, but I'd call them and verify that. They were very helpful on the phone when I talked to them. To answer your question, our forestay did not need any modifications. Also follow the instructions and have several bodies available when you unpack the foil. It wants to spring out like a snake and you won't be anle to roll it backwards to get the curve straightened out by yourself. Good Luck
Straighforward installation
I installed an FF4 last fall on my Hunter 25.5. The installation went well, and I did it with the mast up. The instructions were pretty good -- I measured for the foil length as recommended by hoisting a tape measure on the jib halyard, and it worked out well (measure twice, cut once!). The one tough part we encountered was the location of the temporary head stay. I attached the jib halyard as a temporary head stay just aft of where the head stay normally attaches. That did not leave me enough room to attach the headstay with the furler in place. So, I had to relocate the temporary head stay back to a cleat. The guy that answers the phone at CDI is outstanding as far as providing help and pointers. I had two other guys helping me when I installed mine. Good luck!
I installed an FF4 last fall on my Hunter 25.5. The installation went well, and I did it with the mast up. The instructions were pretty good -- I measured for the foil length as recommended by hoisting a tape measure on the jib halyard, and it worked out well (measure twice, cut once!). The one tough part we encountered was the location of the temporary head stay. I attached the jib halyard as a temporary head stay just aft of where the head stay normally attaches. That did not leave me enough room to attach the headstay with the furler in place. So, I had to relocate the temporary head stay back to a cleat. The guy that answers the phone at CDI is outstanding as far as providing help and pointers. I had two other guys helping me when I installed mine. Good luck!
CDI Furler
I put a new CDI on over the winter on my tall rig Cat 30. I did it with the mast down. I do not think I would have been comfortable attempting it with the mast up. Check the archives as well.
I put a new CDI on over the winter on my tall rig Cat 30. I did it with the mast down. I do not think I would have been comfortable attempting it with the mast up. Check the archives as well.
Did mine with mast up - C30
I think somehow I won the lottery on this one. Followed directions (carefully) and I had it up in 2 hours! WARNING- unpackage & unroll the foil and give it several days (at home, in the garage) to relax & straighten. Otherwise you'll be wrestling it to no avail...
I think somehow I won the lottery on this one. Followed directions (carefully) and I had it up in 2 hours! WARNING- unpackage & unroll the foil and give it several days (at home, in the garage) to relax & straighten. Otherwise you'll be wrestling it to no avail...
Windwalker
If you straightened it at home did you then roll it back up to take it to the boat. Not sure how to handle transportation issues. Thanks for the advice.
If you straightened it at home did you then roll it back up to take it to the boat. Not sure how to handle transportation issues. Thanks for the advice.
I agree with Gary 's question from experience...
and it wasn't good experience. I opened my foil at home thinking I would straighten it out then loosely roll it back up and take to the boat. Well first it was hard to roll it back up to be narrower the the car we were going to drive in. Second was tieing it on the roof of the car. Next was when I got it to the boat, I had to lay it in the sun for about an hour to straighten it again. It only takes about an hour or two to allow it to straighten. When I did this the first time the mast was up. I tied a halyard to the bow cleat to act as a temp. forestay. However, The second one I did with the mast down and measured everything to the forestay so that the upper black piece (with the sheeve) rotates on the swag fitting and not on the cable portion of the forestay. This was advice from CDI after cutting the first one short. It will actuall be longer than if you follow the directions. To install it mast up, you may need to put a pull rope into the foil. When I did this the first time, I tied the pull rope in the foil to the threaded forestay fitting with a wire through the hole in the fitting and into the rope. When you are trying to feed the foil onto the forestay it is a bit difficult. The foil wants to go it's own way and you are pushing thirty feet of plastic straight up iin the air. Once it is feed, hang on to things tightly. That foil will want to slide back down the forestay if you give it a chance. good luck r.w.landau
and it wasn't good experience. I opened my foil at home thinking I would straighten it out then loosely roll it back up and take to the boat. Well first it was hard to roll it back up to be narrower the the car we were going to drive in. Second was tieing it on the roof of the car. Next was when I got it to the boat, I had to lay it in the sun for about an hour to straighten it again. It only takes about an hour or two to allow it to straighten. When I did this the first time the mast was up. I tied a halyard to the bow cleat to act as a temp. forestay. However, The second one I did with the mast down and measured everything to the forestay so that the upper black piece (with the sheeve) rotates on the swag fitting and not on the cable portion of the forestay. This was advice from CDI after cutting the first one short. It will actuall be longer than if you follow the directions. To install it mast up, you may need to put a pull rope into the foil. When I did this the first time, I tied the pull rope in the foil to the threaded forestay fitting with a wire through the hole in the fitting and into the rope. When you are trying to feed the foil onto the forestay it is a bit difficult. The foil wants to go it's own way and you are pushing thirty feet of plastic straight up iin the air. Once it is feed, hang on to things tightly. That foil will want to slide back down the forestay if you give it a chance. good luck r.w.landau
transporting the foil
We rolled our foil just enough to make big loops around in the be of a pick-up with the front portion resting on the back of the cab. It's an hour from the house to the boat and the foil didn't require much straightening when we got there. Sounds Like Gary had the same problem with foil length that I did by following the directions. Good Luck
We rolled our foil just enough to make big loops around in the be of a pick-up with the front portion resting on the back of the cab. It's an hour from the house to the boat and the foil didn't require much straightening when we got there. Sounds Like Gary had the same problem with foil length that I did by following the directions. Good Luck
Installed the FF9 With Mast Up
Gary, Last year I installed the FF9 on my H34 with the mast up. As RW mentioned you'll need to tie a line to the bottom of the forestay then run it thru the foil before pushing the foil up the stay. One tool that came in handy while doing this was a pair of vice grips. As I pushed the foil up the stay I was able to hold it there by placing the vice grips on the line just below the bottom end of the foil. For me this was the hardest part of the job. The foil can be heavy and unrully as you try to push it up. But it can be done. JM
Gary, Last year I installed the FF9 on my H34 with the mast up. As RW mentioned you'll need to tie a line to the bottom of the forestay then run it thru the foil before pushing the foil up the stay. One tool that came in handy while doing this was a pair of vice grips. As I pushed the foil up the stay I was able to hold it there by placing the vice grips on the line just below the bottom end of the foil. For me this was the hardest part of the job. The foil can be heavy and unrully as you try to push it up. But it can be done. JM
Transporting Foil - Answer
I did exactly the same thing as Bill. When I moved the foil from home to boat, I moved it loosely rolled (as big as would fit) in the bed of my pickup. Outside temp might also play a factor in how soon the foil will relax & how much of this pre-prep you'll need to do.
I did exactly the same thing as Bill. When I moved the foil from home to boat, I moved it loosely rolled (as big as would fit) in the bed of my pickup. Outside temp might also play a factor in how soon the foil will relax & how much of this pre-prep you'll need to do.
CDI furler
I installed a CDI furler on my catalina 22 without too much problem. Things that I rean into was my forstay had eyes in the ends and I had to get a new forstay with swage ends to get the spool to fit correctly. I then had to have Luff tape installed on my Jib. My catalina is and old one and I had to upgrade. Once I did the upgrads and used the furler, I kicked myself for not getting one years ago. Good winds. AL
I installed a CDI furler on my catalina 22 without too much problem. Things that I rean into was my forstay had eyes in the ends and I had to get a new forstay with swage ends to get the spool to fit correctly. I then had to have Luff tape installed on my Jib. My catalina is and old one and I had to upgrade. Once I did the upgrads and used the furler, I kicked myself for not getting one years ago. Good winds. AL
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